No (local) Covid news is good news

No local Covid cases reported from the weekend but a new incident in South Australia may lead to further restrictions.

Kurt Miegel

Jul 19, 2021 — 2 min read

The Tailem Bend testing station was kept busy on the weekend, operating 24 hours a day. Photo: Kurt Miegel.

This story will be updated as new information comes to hand. Last updated 4.30PM July 19.

A second positive result from Modbury has led to a range of significant new restrictions effective midnight tonight with these restrictions likely in place until at least Friday.

The 81-year-old man’s daughter who had originally returned a negative result has now returned a positive test.

No further update was provided for the Tailem Bend site.

12.05PM Update

While SA Premier Steven Marshall is “feeling more comfortable” about the Tailem Bend situation as every day goes by, there has been a new Covid development in South Australia.

An 81-year-old man has tested positive to Covid in Modbury as of 2.30am this morning having returned to South Australia from New South Wales on July 8.

The man’s daughter and grandson have returned negative results.

Mr Marshall said that following meetings and new information throughout the day a further update would be provided from SA Health later today.

10AM Update

A busy weekend of testing has thankfully returned no locally acquired cases of Covid-19 in the Murraylands, with the push now on to increase vaccination rates.

The Tailem Bend testing site moved to 24 hour a day operations on Saturday morning and will remain that way until further notice from SA Health.

Across the state there were 9,461 tests conducted on Friday and a further 11,355 completed on Saturday, among the highest the state’s ever seen.

293 people are currently in isolation as a result of the Tailem Bend exposure sites, with that number not growing over the weekend.

Push to ‘arm yourself’ along with half a million South Aussies

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin is encouraging local residents to ‘Arm Yourself’ against the virus as part of a new advertising campaign. Photo: Tony Pasin.

Local pharmacies Chemist Warehouse and Terrywhite Chemmart Southside will join with six other sites across the Murraylands in administering the vaccine from today.

As part of a federal initiative, select pharmacies in regional communities will begin to deliver AstraZeneca jabs with 30 sites in South Australia coming online today, that number expected to grow in coming weeks.

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said that getting the vaccine was the best way to keep the community safe.

“Barker residents who have armed themselves with the vaccine know they are protecting themselves and our community and I thank them for that and encourage others to now make their vaccination booking,” Mr Pasin said.

Health and Wellbeing Minister Stephen Wade confirmed yesterday that South Australia had passed a major milestone in the vaccine rollout with over half a million South Australians having received their first dose.

“Our COVID-19 vaccine rollout is our doorway out of this pandemic and it’s fantastic we’ve had half a million South Australians vaccinated,” Mr Wade said.

Where can I get tested?

Tailem Bend (Adjacent to Caltex Service Station) - no appointment required, open 9 - 5 every day (open until 8.30pm on July 15 and 16)
- People needing day 1, day 5 and day 13 testing must use the Tailem Bend site
Murray Bridge Respiratory Clinic - appointment required, call 8539 3292 or book online